MASwings suspends flights, slashes flight frequencies during MCO

KOTA KINABALU: MASwings has further scaled down operations, temporarily suspending eight destinations and reducing frequencies to 13 other destinations within Sabah and Sarawak due to the movement control order (MCO).

In a statement Tuesday (March 24), the company said that the suspension involved the Kuching-Mulu (seven weekly flights), Miri-Bintulu (14 weekly), Kota Kinabalu-Mulu (seven weekly), Kota Kinabalu-Limbang (three weekly), Kota Kinabalu-Lawas (two weekly), Kota Kinabalu-Kudat (two weekly), Kudat-Sandakan (two weekly) and Tawau-Tarakan (three weekly).

It involves the suspension of 40 flights weekly.

The company also said that 13 routes, involving 291 weekly flights were also reduced to 133 weekly flights.

The company said that the flights involved their ATR72-500 and DHC6 Viking aircraft operations and would go into effect as of March 25 (Wednesday) and continue until March 31.

“The main reason for the decision is the tremendously reduced seat factor during the MCO period coupled with Sabah and Sarawak’s travel ban policy imposed on non-Malaysians as well as local travelers, ” it said.

For the record, the company said MASwings has been operating fully under its Public Service Obligation (PSO) terms from March 18 to 20 and only reduced its operations by 16% as of March 21 to cater to the needs of

locals and remaining tourists flying back home, of which only 12% of offered seat capacity was used.

“Demand from customers has deteriorated since people are abiding by the MCO, ” the company said.

The ticketing offices in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan FT operating hours have also been revised from 8am to 2pm daily until March 31.

For the latest information and assistance on travel deferments or other inquiries, call the toll-free lines at 1-300-88-3000 and [phone] (from outside Malaysia) or visit the company's official websites at www.maswings.com.my and www.malaysiaairlines.com.